by Martha DeWolf
7/26/2011

...marching backward & forward before the FemSems, singing as loud as we could.  It sounded excellent.  But the FemSems didn’t appreciate it at all, as it seriously impeded them. 

The noise we made was so loud that it penetrated the hall where they were having their exercises and fairly drownded [sic] their voices.  Several times the teachers came out to stop us but we prudently retired when they appeared.  They had stationed several Irishmen at the gates to prevent our entering the yard and these the boys made objects for their jokes making them almost crazy with anger.

One of the boys captured a young crow the other day and is attempting to raise him.  I’m afraid he will die.  The trees around the commons are full of caterpillar nests.  These the boys effectually destroy by soaking them with kerosene and setting them afire.  They burn magnificently. 

Last night an old hencoop down near the woods caught fire, as the boys say, by spontaneous combustion.  It burned splendidly.  Mr. Tilton and two other teachers turned out and went down to it.  They attempted to put it out.  We lay around under the trees out of their sight but watching them labor with great satisfaction. 

It pleases a student immensely to observe a teacher with coat off, suspenders down, ruffled shirt and with sweat pouring off of them working hard to put out a hen coop.   It makes them think that teachers are not much superior to themselves although they look sedate, sober, solemn and learned when hearing recitation.

My oration goes along slowly.  We have three days when we are not obliged to recite to prepare it in.  Our class has last Saturday, this week Monday and Tuesday to write our orations in.  I would have come home in these days if I hadn’t a week or two ago.  Last Friday night we had speaking for the Draper prizes.  The hall was crowded.

My pictures have not come yet.  I expect them every day, they will doubtless come this week.  The price is $12.00.  Perhaps father had better send it to me this week if you answer.  I expected Albert up Saturday night but he didn’t make his appearance.  

              Hope you won't be mad because I made you read such a long letter.  I didn't have anything else to do, so I thought I'd scibble a little to you  Answer soon. 

JH Bullard